Ravi: Watching you play is always a joy because you are clearly immersed in the music. As a sideman, are you relieved of having to be more of a showman, or is your stage presence partly being a showman—along with the cool shades and threads that you often wear on “Letterman”?
Lee: I love playing, and that is the single most important reason for my success. When you’re having a great time doing what you’re doing, so does the audience. I like dressing “cool” so when I am onstage, it is a little more of an event rather than looking like I just walked in off the street.
Ravi: Who stands out as some of the most exciting artists with whom you have worked?
Lee: Well, James Brown was one of my favorites, both at Letterman on a few occasions and in the studio recording “Get Up Offa That Thing” and a few lesser-known tracks. I feel lucky that I did not have to be on the road touring with him because he was so intense. That made taking it in little installments a real pleasure. Of course, any chance to play with any of the Beatles is always a treasure, as I have done with all four at some point, either recording or live.
Ravi: When you are backing up an artist, such as those who are guests on “Letterman,” how much of your sound is Will Lee versus studying the artist’s record?
Lee: It is always a case of honoring the music, so it is always an equal amount of both.
Ravi: What gear do you use to get your sound on TV?
Lee: When I am doing the show, I can usually be seen playing my trusty Sadowsky bass, or even a Höfner, Fender P-bass with flatwound strings, a Line 6 Variax bass, or others depending on the song. All these go through a Radial direct box and into a specially built Ampeg rig.
Ravi: How about in the studio, do you have particular equipment that you favor?
Lee: I have a new model Will Lee signature four-string Sadowsky bass I love, as well as a Sadowsky five-string. I use my old Fender ‘63 P-Bass with flatwounds a lot these days as well as a Line 6 Variax bass. I plug into a GrooveTubes “Brick” and then it goes into the two stages—the board for direct signal and then into Line 6’s new LowDown amp, either mic’d or direct.
Ravi: How many basses do you own?
Lee: I have probably had as many as 110 basses at most, but I am donating a lot of stuff to good causes these days. There is a lot of “sleeping talent” out there among kids and underprivileged folks who have been stricken by disasters and/or poverty. They can use a chance to express what is in their souls and minds these days.
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